Barrett Hiebert

Darkcon, Well said. You’ve been personally messaged. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Forumites, I’m not even going to bother anymore wasting my time trying to explain myself to anyone here. You all have your perceptions and biases, thinking yourselves superior, stemming from your seniority within your JSA background. That is fine. You can feel that way all day. You are offended by what I have to say. That onus is on you. Not me. It has no bearing on what I will do. I am not beholden to your perceptions, expectations. It doesn’t define, limit or control me. Though I do take offence, especially when someone like Jimmy insinuates I’m narcissistic and deliberately take pleasure in contention, provocation of this community. Now that’s drawing a line. None of you know the caliber of my character. You make your opinion based on your minuscule window of inference from what I have chosen to divulge to you. Again that is your perception and expectation which stems from exclusivity within your JSA realm. I’ve learnt my lessons here and I’m very thankful for the illumination that you’ve all provided me. I wish you all well. This is the best I can do right now. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Forumites, This sword was going up for sale so I had to jump on it. Even though I love the look of the Gassan Sadakazu saber, I was merely going to get a copy made of this sword for cutting as to appease and respect the community. https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-osaka-gassan-sadakazu-seitan/ Confirmed a trade with Atsuo Imazu of Giheiya Japanese Swords for my Juyo Nakajimarai Rai katana with a custom koshirae being built and 950,000 yen. Had to compromise, I know he’s making some profit, though I’ll be happy. I always have loved the Nanbokucho period and they did have larger swords then for ground combat. I don’t think that this sword will be too much of a stretch. The extra money will allow me to purchase a custom armour…for historical reenactment and training. https://samuraistore.com/collections/life-size-armor/products/uroko-yoroi And I understand your guys concerns about safety, appropriate blade length to body height, arm length, style (Ryu) practiced, etc. though I can already cut safely with European swords longer than this. Plus I have a longer right arm due to a previous injury so it wouldn’t really matter. I have to make changes how I wield any sword. I just was wanting the Gassan saber because it was light enough to be wielded in one hand as well as two, though I can most surely handle this Miike Ju Kunitada katana. I’m not a beginner guys when it comes to martial arts. My geographical orientation disallowed me from engaging in a traditional JSA Ryu. There is Noble House Kenjutsu though they have been proven to be illegitimate since they can not prove their lineage. There is Iaido though I’m unable to attend due to not getting any vaccines. (Not even going to get into that topic, this isn’t the place.) Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Michael, Why do you say that? Just trying to understand. Thanks. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Forumites, https://giheiya.com/wp/product/02-1437/ This Heisei is okay to cut with? Just double checking. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

I’m not even going to waste my time anymore replying. You all have a good one. I am not so easily goaded, especially by the insinuation that is represented here.

Chris, You can think whatever you want. Stating the facts isn’t belittling anyone. I was merely stating the facts. Most of your guys attitude is better treat those nihonto like a baby or else someone is going to die. If I did anything remotely what I expressed, no one would get hurt and I don’t have to be a senior JSA man to do that. I’m actually an adult, not a spoiled little brat. You are the one gaslighting and using ad hominin attacks. It’s unbecoming of your character. Again I merely stated the obvious. If what I say rankles you then that is on you. Just gets tiring going against the current of mass thought. I now know what all the pioneers felt. Mark, As much as everyone is trying to be helpful they aren’t helping. Sure not everyone here are what I paint with a large brush though come on, the majority aren’t soldiers, warriors in most of these classes, across the board. I don’t need to follow to the letter what is told is right by anyone here and I’m unable to do anything else. For it’s just their opinion. Doing anything I vocalized wouldn’t ruin any of the blades. Anything would be marginal and things really would be nominal. These blades would be kept meticulously and I know full well the need to be immaculate in your surroundings, especially with weaponry for optimal functioning. And actually if I used a kreigmesser, it variations are functionally the same as a katana. One could use the same bio-mechanics in treatises. All that changes is one’s perception and manifesting of that technique based on the system. Sure there’s changes between a Japanese Ryu and European Treatises technically and culturally but at the end of the day the fundamentals are in concert. Bio-mechanics are the same. And to reiterate ad naseum nothing I’ve ever broached the topic would hurt a nihonto or be disrespectful to it. Jeeze Louise. I don’t need to follow the crowd and I know well my capabilities, limitations. I’m not going to waste my time anymore having people tell me what I should do, especially when they can’t handle resistance. Especially when their rebuttal is to redirect that I am the problem. It just flabbergasts me. I’m no meek sheep. Not in my nature. If the forum can’t handle candid discussion of which this place is for, willingly disregarding the main demographic that I have seen time and time again throughout my lifetime in martial arts classes and on forums such as these for the majority, well I’m not here to pander to this community. Truth is never well liked, as been shown throughout history, and even now. I’m not one to dabble in half truths. I’d rather ride the wave of originality and not constrain myself to outdated thinking. It’s called progress. Sure don’t forgot where you came from but seriously there needs be a merging, not this pig headedness espoused here so fervently, without thought. I don’t mean any offence to anyone in this thread though you guys need to give your guys heads a shake. While I know that people are trying to help, misconstruing what I say, insinuatingly wrongly based on their biased perception, is wholly to blame. It’s not that I give a flying hoot what any of you say, I only irks me when it is wrongly relayed, to the person who relayed it to begin with. Telling the truth and nothing but the truth is not acting shamefully. It actually takes courage to go against the majority, the grain. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Again, basically furthermore I have no interest engaging in any discussion with the forumites here. So I’m saying my peace. I can just as well preserve any sword in my care. I just always forget that I’m mostly surrounded by a bunch of nerds who like to think their way is the highway. Now frankly I don’t care what you or anyone thinks about me here. That is your perception made in a small inference of time, which comes from your misplaced entitlement and haughtiness. I am in no way held in bondage by what the majority of people think. And your expectations are irrelevant too. I ask for your opinions. I take it under advisement though please don’t misconstrue what I say. I don’t have to sit there and have my intelligence be validated by anyone. You know why I have a problem with the Japanese sword community is because of this. You never see it in the other sword communities. Only here. Swinging around a 700 year old Juyo I have wouldn’t kill it. Cutting once with that Gassan katana at a little over 100 years old wouldn’t kill it. Come on people, grow the fudge up. Getting a tachi style blade made up and swinging it on the ground isn’t wrong. Come now. I always laugh when the nihonto nerds come out crying over every little thing, especially when it comes to their community. It is almost insufferable. Again it totally comes away as exclusive to this community. It is unbecoming and doesn’t bode well. If I can not kill myself or my dog when he is the vicinity while swinging a sharp European sword I can most certainly do it with any blade. You forumites have to get real. Too many academics, hobbyists, administrators, facilitators, collectors here. It’s called dang common sense and trust me I have enough, since I haven’t hurt myself or anyone else. And I’m actually allowed to go to any cutting practice at the European school, for which is only available to me. If you people want to give me a negative reputation point, well, that’s your perception, your choice. It has no bearing on how I operate. Really it’s just hiding a bunch of adults with their narrow minded views playing with swords who are so rigid within their traditional system that they can’t even operate remotely outside the box mentally that has been constructed for them. And furthermore your opinion of me not being astute for this forums environment in voicing my meagre aspiration to try out a sword within tolerable limits is childish, especially on a forum such as this. This is a forum, a place to discuss. I have no problem sitting there and letting anyone voice their opinions though when I have ultimate say and these swords would all be perfectly fine under my care. Refer back to top. Refer to quote attached I have on my fridge. And I’m neither delusional or rambling. I’m just fed up with the snobs here, to be honest. I mean no disrespect to the forumites or any of the swords though again come on. Reality check everyone. No swords or humans, let alone myself would be harmed.

I am much more coherent than yourself. Trying out a 100 antique sword once on a pumpkin wouldn’t be catastrophic. It is the majority of users who are academics and hobbyists. I won’t be restrained merely by such resistance from a pretentious populace that resides here. And furthermore your opinion is irrelevant. I take everything with a grain of salt. I’m just getting tired of the pretentiousness that abounds here. You people on this forum for the little time I’ve been here are ridiculously narcissistic and entitled, pretentious beyond belief. I just get tired of all these nazi keyboard warriors here, thinking that what they say is sacrosanct. That I should have to follow all their rules. This forum should be open for discussion, not having a group of people sit their and vilify with their obstinacy. It doesn’t even make me want to participate with the antiquated mindset dinosaurs that seemingly are here. I’m just not going to waste my time anymore here.

Fellow forumites, Thank you all for your replies and incredulous reactions. Jokes aside. Serious reply. I was merely entertaining the thought. Nothing harmless with asking questions and gaining information. I am well aware that the Osaka Gassan blade is too much to cut with now, being an early antique. At most I was just going to cut pumpkins to not ruin the blade as to get a feel for its handling characteristics. I was entertaining it because it is one of the blade types I prefer. I would of been getting a cutting copy if I did get that blade. The cutting of the soft medium was just a preliminary thought. There is no JSA cutting school here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the local Kenjutsu school, (Noble House Kenjutsu), has not been able to show their lineage. I most certainly can cut better than the students at my European school. No offence to them but their bodies aren’t optimized. I am not so astute in the terminology department as the academics, hobbyists, that comprise the school. Though they are knowledgeable and excellent educators, hobbyists, etc., I have the physicality, body mechanics, mindset. Plus I’ve been in real close combat and it all translates down the line, with any tool. Just an extension of the arm. Not trying to be rude, though I feel that there is a degree of exclusivity that abounds, and pretentiousness. It’s unbecoming of this community and shouldn’t be allowed through all the sword communities. Come on gentleman, if I can cut fine with the likes of quality European sword equivalent to a modern day Shinken, body mechanics being nothing different, other than the tools used, I can cut with a a Japanese sword. There are no back edge cuts mostly due to a proclivity of single edge blades so that makes it simpler. Though in a real sword fight one edge versus two shouldn’t be a matter of concern if both fighters are at a comparable level. Please don’t take my skill level with a mere cutting of a sword to be a disqualification because I don’t have the necessary school requirements that is considered status quo, couth, especially in the JSA arena. I’m a 32 year old gentleman who can handle himself accordingly, especially with weaponry, as I know their disastrous results, if used unwisely. I’m not meaning to be egotistical or abrasive, and knowing I already have a - 6 reputation due to a dislike of how I’m perceived, essentially, it is petty. That option is ridiculous. I bought a used Albion Ritter before I bought three more sharps for the European school, as a donation to the school, so they could have quality cutting instruments for immediate quality feedback on handling characteristics and cutting abilities. Now if I was unable to cut or unsafe in anyway, do you think I would of been allowed back to a cutting session, even before I purchased those swords as a gift for the school? I actually am 167 cm’s, so technically according to your JSA guidelines, yes I could use that sword. Now having very little sori and due to its mass distribution it be a nimble blade, from my reckoning. Though there are no hard and fast rules really due to profile, mass distribution, length, etc. that should be permitted for one to use. A little wiggle room is understandable. Now due to blade shape it wouldn’t be optimized for draw cuts from the scabbard. Though every weapon must be used with its intended purpose. Furthermore, if I can use my 43 inch training warsword and the sharp equivalent are even longer, well I’m sure I could make necessary changes in my bio-mechanics, to handle any blade. Being that theoretically every single blade can be handled safely, it may just not be optimized for my or your proportions. Food for thought. PS. Correction. Oh and after doing new research there is an Iaido class in my town, though I am unable to attend due to requirement of having two vaccines. So really come on my options are severely limited. And last, others perceptions are their own. It has no bearing as to how I conduct myself, regardless of what you perceive to be agreeable to your liking, background. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Alright guys, Thanks for all the replies. I am digesting the information and making amends as I come across different swords. Would this sword be okay to cut with? https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-osaka-gassan-sadakazu-seitan/ Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Mark, Thanks for the lengthy reply. I will heed your advice and put the sword up for sale, consignment to fund a shinken. As for why I wanted a gendaito or shinsakuto, well, originally I thought they would, since newer, be okay for cutting, though now I understand the nuances better. Thanks for clarifying. As for the book recommended I shall go to the book store and see if I can order it. Thanks again for the reply and to all those on this forum in my first thread ever who cared, steering me rightly. PS. A hira-zukuri custom shinken would be my choice as well. Such were made in the Nanbokucho period, from my research. Any way you could pm me with a picture of your shinken? I'd love to check it out. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Good day, After further deliberation after the advice given to me by this forum, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really want to have a katana to cut with. So I’m looking to put up my Juyo token katana I recently bought, which was getting a new scabbard made and edo fittings done up, for trade or sale. (In another thread of course.) The link below is just for reference. https://www-shoubudou-co-jp.translate.goog/products/detail.php?product_id=182&_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_sch=http My question is what earliest year of sword should I be looking for that I’d be able to cut with? Is it safe to cut with gendaitos or should I only stick to shinsakutos? I’m thinking of trading for this sword… https://japanesesword.com/for-sale-pages/2017/9/26/masterpiece-long-shinsakuto-blade-by-ichiro-matsuba Thanks. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Luc, Thanks for the reply. Actually purchased this one. Getting it custom when my upper body is proportionate to my lower body. Still recuperating after an injury. https://samuraistore.com/collections/life-size-armor/products/l004 What do you think? Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Good day, I’m deliberating as to purchasing this suit. https://samuraistore.com/collections/life-size-armor/products/n015 I’ve been told though that the mail isn’t riveted. Mr. Kirita tells me that the mail is butted and secured to the underlying fabric as per historical samurai armour construction and assures me that none of the mail will become undone with use, though I am wary. Any thoughts? I was actually going to use this to run around in and train my body differently. Thanks. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Kyle, Is the Higo Thunder tsuba still available? Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Chris W, Let’s just end the discussion please. You’ve all made your point over and over again ad naseum. I don’t have a misplaced sense of ego nor am I unable to understand the juvenile analogies. It’s moronic. Consignors everywhere need not be warned about me. I will heed the forums advice to appease their hearts. That is the one concession I shall make. You also have been replied to in private email. I bear no ill will towards anyone and I am thankful for the critique. Peace be unto you all. Moderators lock, delete thread. My honour and reputation remains intact. Deeds not words. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Pietro Paris and JH Lee and all others, It’s been incessantly over said innumerable times. I am not wasting my time anymore having it as a point of contention. I have said my peace and I tire of this discourse. Frankly, I don’t have to heed any advice by anyone here to the letter. They are guidelines not hard and fast sacrosanct rules. Anyways, it was an excellent exercise none the less in discourse. Please, moderators delete this thread. I bear no ill will towards anyone and have done my best to remain as amicable as able. Thank you all for your input. As always I take it into consideration though I am under no obligation to follow per say to the letter. I am my own man, gentleman and can make my own decisions. I wish you all well. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

B. Hennick, I was unaware of that nuance. Thank you for the clarification. I just feel as the criticism, most lately from Brian specifically, to which he emphasized now having being blunt, which I undoubtedly did read earlier in the thread, had been condescendingly imparted. I have done my best to reign in my temper. It has always been challenging as I am a man of passion. Really the mix up is irrelevant and miniscule in the enormity of life. I am treating all people who have partaken in this thread with respect. I expect the same from everyone, in return. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Pietro Paris, I had remembered it differently being I am in a CAD currency so I wasn't familiar with the US equivalency of the top of my head. A purely human mix up. Plus I'm on nights and have been up 18 hours. It is a simple misunderstanding exacerbated by my lack of sleep. Oh so sorry.

Brian, First get the details right. The price is 2,600,000 Yen and please do not presume to lecture me. I am not being facetious. I am now being blunt. Barrett

Pietro Paris, That is fine. See my private message. And to note I was not dissuaded by the consignor as to my intentions. I do chuckle inwardly that a sword that was meant for battle is not even allowed to be used in even the slightest capacity according to its design. Samurai of the day wouldn't hesitate to do katas with such a blade. That is truely keeping context coinciding with its intended purpose from a modern warriors perspective and always an academic second. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Pietro Paris, I can't spar because I took 19 stitches to the face from improvised weapons, while in service. Not because I am incapable of handling any weapon, modern or of antiquity of any culture. I mean no disrespect. I asked for your opinions. Your perceptions, expectations are just that, your opinions. If I can handle a sharp modern European sword I can handle a sharp nihonto safely, and I will be even more exponentially safe because of its provenance and status as an art weapon. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Pietro Paris, See private message. Further too, that was 7 years ago. I have post concussion syndrome from service. I can't spar. I can still take hits in service but not for such recreational activities. Plus all the people at the only local HEMA school are hobbyists, academics not warriors. They are interpreting HEMA from treatises. While I do have Noble House Kenjutsu where I live I already know of their fraudulent history, and while they were all very nice and inviting, sensei included, it's not my cup of tea. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Mywei and Rokujuro. Sent you both the same message to remain civil. Brian, again I’m just asking to understand the nuances between hamon types and definitive factors that make a blade Juyo. I am aware of the qualifications for such and the implications, at least generally. These such swords as you state were re-polished much due to being heavily used. I’m just trying to understand better. Hence why I’m asking questions of such an inquisitive nature. Best regards to all, Barrett Hiebert